Who is your pick for this year's 'pleasent surprise' of the offseason and preseason?

[GreggTX]

Each year it seems that a player or 2 that few, if any, had on their radar outperforms all expectations. Who will be 2023's big surprise(s)?

I'm going with Alex Austin. He slid primarily due to a slow 40 time, but if moved inside he could be pretty good. It may take some time for him to adjust though.

I also think the future is bright for Dorian Williams, but not so soon. He has some outstanding traits, but needs coaching and experience to put it all together. I love his speed in particular. In the mean time, I expect his ST contributions to be noteworthy.

Justin Shorter is another intriguing prospect after his college career was marred by a rash of injuries. If healthy, he might finally live up to expectations. I know from watching draft room video that Beane really liked him a lot. We'll see if that admiration was warranted.

I'd end by saying that the success of our top 2 picks will not surprise me at all. I think the sky is the limit for Kincaid and Torrence.

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by GreggTX

[Gregg]

I won't go with a particular player, but I will say the OL as a group will be much better. That will lead to a better run game from our RB's. My pick is the OL.

[MrEpsYtown]

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

[GreggTX]

3 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

-------------------------

I sure hope so. Edwards wasn't great before injuries took their toll, but he was still pretty good and his best years may lie ahead. Basham has shown flashes and could win a starting job before Von returns. I like these picks.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2023 by GreggTX

[GunnerBill]

I like the Edwards pick too. 

 

But I'm gonna go for James Cook. I expect him to tear up camp and pre-season and go into the season as the undisputed #1 back with Harris and Hines very much just playing spot roles. 

[Dr. Who]

14 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

Can he play RT?

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Dr. Who said:

Can he play RT?

 

That's where he mainly played in college. He did a bit in spot duty as a rookie for the Rams, not sure he has done it since. 

[The Avenger]

Shorter. My guess is we'll have a near continuous stream of reports about how good he looks at practice/camp and then we'll never see him in the regular season. Seems like we frequently have a WR like this and Shorter is it this year.

[YattaOkasan]

Deonte Harty is mine.  I think he works his way onto the field and becomes a weapon we are clamoring for more of.

[NewEra]

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

[wppete]

11 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

Yea I also agree. Austin could be a legit option at back up Nickel Corner, Safety or CB. I like how he plays and has great size. Just hope he is also a special teams ace. Should be fun to watch him in camp. 

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, wppete said:

Yea I also agree. Austin could be a legit option at back up Nickel Corner, Safety or CB. I like how he plays and has great size. Just hope he is also a special teams ace. Should be fun to watch him in camp. 

Yeah that would be the clincher.  We all know that McB will still put an emphasis on ST, but I’m hoping that ST doesn’t matter as much as it did before the rule change.

[hondo in seattle]

I'm going with Trent Sherfield who's been kind of an under-the-radar signing. 

 

After seeing him play in Miami, reading Tyler Dunne's piece on his backstory, and listening to Josh talk him up, I think this kid is ready to contribute.  

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Latavius Murray

[JerseyBills]

I went with Marquez Stevenson last year, was dead wrong. 

 

I think Hardy is going to have a breakout year and will be considered a steal of a contract 

 

Also AJ Epenesa on defense 

[Simon Says]

1 hour ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

I think Torrance starts ( soon,if not immediately.)

  I see Edwards and Bates as 'Super Subs" . Edwards apparently was a good right tackle in college. 

Edited May 25, 2023 by Herb Nightly

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

David Edwards is my sleeper. I think he starts. I don't know what happens everywhere else, but they talk him up every chance they get and he was a high level player before his injury last year. He is also still very young. 

 

I also think Boogie Bahsham has a mini breakout. 

 

 

 

I hope you're right about both Edwards and Boogie having better-than-expected years.  

 

But let me play Scrooge...  PFF typically ranks Edwards in the 60s - a solid backup.  

 

(Yeah, I know, it's only PFF).  

 

[Don Otreply]

2 hours ago, Gregg said:

I won't go with a particular player, but I will say the OL as a group will be much better. That will lead to a better run game from our RB's. My pick is the OL.

I gotta agree here,  the O-line is the fulcrum that the offense uses to leverage its weapons. Imo, the O-lines performance is crucial to the whole teams season long success.

[Simon Says]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

I agree with Austin.  I think he has a real shot to make the team.  He could push Benford to safety and possibly Damar off the team.  Cam Lewis 👋🏻 byyeeeee

I don't see Benford moving to safety, at least not THIS year  Bills have Safety depth and  Benford showed well at CB. Why move him?

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, Herb Nightly said:

I don't see Benford moving to safety, at least not THIS year  Bills have Safety depth and  Benford showed well at CB. Why move him?

I just said why we’d move him.  Austin, if he performs well.  
 

there aren’t enough cb roster spots.  
 

Tre

Elam

Taron

Dane

Benford/Austin

 

Neal makes it for ST (sadly)

 

I don’t think our S depth is great ans of now with Damars uncertainty. Our top 3 are great, but who are the guys after them?   One died on the field. Another is the worst player on the roster.  Another is a ST guy named Zayne.  
 

Our top 3 safeties are all free agents at the end of the year. If Damar returns to form, I agree, we’re set.  Just not sure that’s going to happen. Benford has 3 years left under contract making the minimum.  If he could step in next 2 seasons as a starter and play well, that’s a win win win.  I don’t think he’ll be more than CB4 on this team the next 2 years.  
 

I would love for Austin to be able to take Neals spot on ST.  Neal brings nothing to the table on D imo.  

 

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

I am going with Dorian Williams, honestly. I think he will shine when the pads come on and light up the preseason. He will be the guy coming into the season that the fans yell SHOULD be starting...while Dodson starts at MLB opening game.  Dodson will be on the seat for message board whipping boy by week 4 no matter how he looks because people will want Williams and his downhill play style.

 

[jethro_tull]

Dalton Kincaid.   He will exceed the already high expectations that come with being a first round pick.  

Edited May 25, 2023 by jethro_tull

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Russ Wilson.

Things couldn't get worse.

Could they? 🤔

*
🎶Everything's coming up roses...🎵🌹🌹🌹🌹

 

[Dukestreetking]

1 hour ago, Don Otreply said:

the O-line is the fulcrum that the offense uses to leverage its weapons

Agreed.

 

"Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world."

-- Archimedes

 

Please Lord, let it be so.

[Logic]

Justin Shorter will be the talk of the camp...until the pads go on.

Trent Sherfield will be a star of training camp and the preseason and will give Shakir a run for his money as the presumed starting slot receiver.

Edited May 25, 2023 by Logic

[Clyde Smith]

I'm going with Shane Ray as my pick.

 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

 

I would love for Austin to be able to take Neals spot on ST.  Neal brings nothing to the table on D imo.  

 

 

 

Austin being an elite gunner, which is what Neal is, as a rookie is very unlikely. Neal is a lock for the roster IMO, especially given that the other two gunners - Taiwan and Kumerow - have gone. I think it will be interesting to see what the new fair catch rule does to kick off returns. If you are down to only punt returns it does change the dynamic a little on gunner value, but I don't think the Bills will cut one of the best gunners in the league until there is evidence that returns are all but out of the game. 

[ngbills]

Poona Ford will be our best IDL. 

Hyde and Poyer will both miss time and Taylor Rapp will be a solid fill in

Damien Harris will be used like Williams in DET. Minimal carries but 10+ TD's.

[NewEra]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Austin being an elite gunner, which is what Neal is, as a rookie is very unlikely. Neal is a lock for the roster IMO, especially given that the other two gunners - Taiwan and Kumerow - have gone. I think it will be interesting to see what the new fair catch rule does to kick off returns. If you are down to only punt returns it does change the dynamic a little on gunner value, but I don't think the Bills will cut one of the best gunners in the league until there is evidence that returns are all but out of the game. 

I’m not saying he has to be an elite gunner.  Just competent. But I have no clue regarding his ST play, I was just throwing it out there.  
 

the new rules, imo, are the only reason I think Neal might be cut. I don’t think he will be…. McD definitely loves his ST only players…. But I’d rather keep austin, a guy that i think could be a CB in this league over a guy that can only play.  The new rules reinforce my thinking on that.  
 

I realize that someone would have to step up and be a competent gunner in order to cut him, I just think KO unit players took a big hit on the rule change.  I’d be all for keeping him if he could play some corner or safety.  The fact that he couldn’t play over Cam Lewis speaks volumes to me
 

 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I am going with Dorian Williams, honestly. I think he will shine when the pads come on and light up the preseason. He will be the guy coming into the season that the fans yell SHOULD be starting...while Dodson starts at MLB opening game.  Dodson will be on the seat for message board whipping boy by week 4 no matter how he looks because people will want Williams and his downhill play style.

 

Totally agree.  Williams can be a game changer with his speed and anticipation.  Tired of reading all the nagtivity about he was a reach, small school (I went to Tulane graduate school), too small, blah blah blah. 

 

The one game he will get crucified will be against NE, Belichek manages to make certain defensive positions as untenable, and that is what Belichek did against Tremaine Edmunds at MLB in one game, Edmunds was schemed into irrelevance.

 

And by week 4 if Dodson isnt the whipping boy, it will be Dorsey for season #2.

[RyanC883]

3 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

I'm going with Trent Sherfield who's been kind of an under-the-radar signing. 

 

After seeing him play in Miami, reading Tyler Dunne's piece on his backstory, and listening to Josh talk him up, I think this kid is ready to contribute.  

 

good call.  Also, Hill was pretty upset when he left the dolphins.  

[GunnerBill]

6 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I’m not saying he has to be an elite gunner.  Just competent. But I have no clue regarding his ST play, I was just throwing it out there.  
 

the new rules, imo, are the only reason I think Neal might be cut. I don’t think he will be…. McD definitely loves his ST only players…. But I’d rather keep austin, a guy that i think could be a CB in this league over a guy that can only play.  The new rules reinforce my thinking on that.  
 

I realize that someone would have to step up and be a competent gunner in order to cut him, I just think KO unit players took a big hit on the rule change.  I’d be all for keeping him if he could play some corner or safety.  The fact that he couldn’t play over Cam Lewis speaks volumes to me
 

 

 

I am not cutting an elite gunner for a 6th corner. I struggle to see any situation where I'd do that. 

[msw2112]

It's interesting that most of the picks here are WRs.  I'll go with Shakir.

[NewEra]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

I am not cutting an elite gunner for a 6th corner. I struggle to see any situation where I'd do that. 

If he shows upside, I would.  4 year rookie contract.  Do you have any thoughts on Austin?  I think the depth of this CB draft class pushed him down and we got a steal. I really like his potential as a zone corner. Not so much man.

 

I think the rule changes could have a big impact on KOs and the overall worth of KO coverages.  Which would make Neals main worth revolve around punts….. and we punt less than anyone.  

[GunnerBill]

25 minutes ago, NewEra said:

If he shows upside, I would.  4 year rookie contract.  Do you have any thoughts on Austin?  I think the depth of this CB draft class pushed him down and we got a steal. I really like his potential as a zone corner. Not so much man.

 

I think the rule changes could have a big impact on KOs and the overall worth of KO coverages.  Which would make Neals main worth revolve around punts….. and we punt less than anyone.  

 

So on Austin - not a guy I watched a lot of. I preferred the other Oregan State corner - Rezjohn Wright, but I see why Austin fits their mold as a zone corner with length, who plays off, will keep it infront of him, rally and tackle. It is the classic McBeane late round corner profile. 

 

On the rule change it definitely bears watching, and maybe in years to come I will feel differently but for a team in a championship window right now an elite gunner is way more impactful than a 6th corner. 

[Fan in Chicago]

If I am going to make a wild pick, I will do so with a built-in hope:

Dorian Willams

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

Terrell Bernard becomes a monster in the middle

[DCofNC]

4 hours ago, Herb Nightly said:

I don't see Benford moving to safety, at least not THIS year  Bills have Safety depth and  Benford showed well at CB. Why move him?

I think you could see Benford being flexed there this year, he makes a lot of sense there in the future and both Po and Hyde  (and Rapp) could be gone next year.   Give him a year to learn the ropes and he gets a shot to start next year.  Thats all dependent on how the CB room looks, but he’s way too good to let go of and Saftey is not strong after the first 3 in line.

[DCofNC]

I am super hopeful somebody steps up at LB and to that end, I’m going with Baylon Spector.   I half expect him to win the MLB role, or be the primary back-up.  A lot will depend on the work he’s done on his body in the off-season, he needed to add weight, especially growing those legs.  If he can report in the 240-245 range and have not lost a step, he has everything you need to play at LB in the NFL today.  It’s a lot of hoping, but let’s see what he brings.

[HappyDays]

Ed Oliver. The player that everyone wants traded away will be as determined as ever in a contract year. I expect him to finally show more consistent flashes of what made him a top 10 pick. Wouldn't surprise me if he is our best DL until Von Miller is fully recovered.